When and why you started boxing:
I first walked into a gym when I was nine. I followed my brother but I only lasted a year, I was a little fat thing. I went back when I was 17.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Can I be greedy and have three? Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez and, in his prime, Jorge Linares.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Dudley O’Shaughnessy-Glenn Foot from the amateurs in 2010. It had everything, it was a proper dirt-dust fight!
Personal career highlight:
My professional debut. The feeling and the buzz, I’ll never forget it. I just felt at home.
Toughest opponent:
Irma Testa, who beat me in the [Under-22] European championships final. Her arms went all the way down to her ankles. It was ridiculous!
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best are my body shots and workrate. My worst is that I have a tendency to get involved too much.
Training tip:
Enjoy the little moments because they make the big ones possible. Make the most of it because before you know it, your career will be over.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
Kaspa’s. Kinda Bueno Cookie Dough is my favourite… and that is why I’m never going to make bantamweight. But it will have to wait until after the fight now, I always eat sensibly straight after the weigh-in.
Best friends in boxing:
Robbie Davies Jnr, Chris Billam-Smith, Hannah Rankin, Emma Dolan. I’ve no idea if they like me but I like them [laughs].
Last film/TV show you watched:
After Life. Season three. What a legend Ricky Gervais is, I’m a big fan. But this series didn’t make me cry.
Other sportsperson you would like to be:
Canelo Alvarez, the money man.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Strangely once. You know Billy Walsh, the Irish coach? Well, I saw him at one of my fights and I wanted to impress him more than the judges. Weird, eh?
Last time you cried:
It will be when I’m making weight! Last time I do remember crying is during the second series of After Life.
Best advice received:
Boxing training is tough so my mum tells me, ‘You ain’t got a choice’. I’ve been brought up on tough love.
What is the worst rumour you’ve heard about yourself:
Honestly, I can’t think of one. If you’ve heard anything though, it’s probably true!
Something not many people know about you:
I’ve never stepped foot in a nightclub and I’ve never drank alcohol in my life. I returned to boxing at the age of 17 but, honestly, all that going out and drinking doesn’t appeal to me at all.
